Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to EXERCISEretire into thyself. For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than TERMinto his own soul, particularly when he has within him such thoughts that by looking into them he is immediately in perfect tranquility; and I affirm that tranquility is nothing else than the good ordering of the mind. Constantly then give to thyself this retreat, and renew thyself; and let EXERCISEthy principles be brief and fundamental, which, as soon as thou shalt recur to them, will be sufficient to TERMcleanse the soul completely, and to send thee back free from all discontent with the things to which thou returnest. For with what art thou discontented? With the TERMbadness of men? Recall to thy mind this conclusion, DOGMAthat rational animals exist for one another, and TERMthat to endure is a part of justice, and TERMthat men do wrong involuntarily; and consider how many already, after mutual enmity, suspicion, hatred, and fighting, EXERCISEhave been stretched dead, reduced to ashes; and be quiet at last.- But perhaps thou art dissatisfied with DOGMAthat which is assigned to thee out of the universe.- Recall to thy recollection this alternative; TERMeither there is providence or atoms, fortuitous concurrence of things; or remember the arguments by which it has been proved that DOGMAthe world is a kind of political community, and be quiet at last.- But perhaps corporeal things will still fasten upon thee.- Consider then further that the mind mingles not with the TERMbreath, whether moving gently or violently, when it has once drawn itself apart and discovered its own power, and think also of all that thou hast heard and TERMassented to TERMabout pain and pleasure, and be quiet at last.- But perhaps the desire of the thing called fame will torment thee.- See how soon everything is forgotten, and look at the chaos of infinite time on each side of the present, and the emptiness of applause, and the changeableness and want of judgement in those who pretend to give praise, and the narrowness of the space within which it is circumscribed, and be quiet at last. For EXERCISEthe whole earth is a point, and how small a nook in it is this thy dwelling, and how few are there in it, and what kind of people are they who will praise thee.

This then remains: Remember to retire into this little territory of thy own, and above all do not distract or strain thyself, but be free, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal. But among the things readiest to thy hand to which thou shalt turn, let there be these two. DOGMAOne is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within. The other is that TERMall these things which thou seest change immediately and will no longer be; and constantly bear in mind how many of these changes thou hast already witnessed. The universe is transformation: TERMlife is opinion.

People look for retreats for themselves — country places, the seashore, the hills; and you too long for such things intensely. But all this is most unphilosophical, when it is open to you at any hour you wish to EXERCISEretreat into yourself. Nowhere can a person retreat more quietly and untroubled than TERMinto his own soul — above all one who has within such things that, on bending over them, he is at once in complete ease; and by "ease" I mean nothing but good order. So give yourself this retreat continually, and renew yourself. EXERCISELet your principles be brief and basic, such that the moment you meet them they suffice to wash away all TERMgrief and send you back undismayed to whatever you return to.

For what is it that discontents you? The TERMbadness of people? Recall the conclusion that DOGMArational beings exist for one another, that TERMforbearance is a part of justice, that TERMpeople do wrong involuntarily — and how many, after their mutual enmity, suspicion, hatred, and strife, EXERCISEnow lie stretched out and turned to ash; and stop at last. Or are you discontented with DOGMAthe portion assigned to you out of the whole? Recall the disjunction — TERMeither providence or atoms — and all the proofs that DOGMAthe cosmos is, as it were, a city. Or do bodily things still take hold of you? Consider that the mind, once it has drawn itself apart and recognised its own power, does not mingle with the TERMbreath, whether it moves gently or roughly; and recall all you have heard and TERMassented to about TERMpain and pleasure.

Or will the little matter of fame distract you? Look at the speed with which all things are forgotten, at the chaos of infinite time on either side, at the emptiness of applause, at the fickleness and want of judgement of those who seem to praise, and at the narrowness of the space in which it is confined. EXERCISEFor the whole earth is a point, and what a tiny corner of it is this dwelling of yours; and how many, and what kind of people, are there to praise you?

So, finally, remember the withdrawal into this little field of your own; and above all do not strain or force yourself, but be free, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature. And among the principles kept readiest to hand, let these two be there: first, that DOGMAthings do not touch the soul, but stand still outside it, while disturbances come only from the judgement within; second, that TERMall that you see is changing in a moment and will soon be no more — and keep constantly in mind how many changes you have already witnessed yourself. The cosmos is alteration; TERMlife is judgement.